I do not normally make my political views known openly, and this will be no exception. So if you are reading this to see if I support Hillary Clinton or detest Donald Trump, read no further…you will not find that information here. In fact, asI write this today, I am still undecided as to whom I will cast my ballot for.

If most of you are like me, you are sick and tired of the “slamming” between the presidential candidates we have in front of us. I am tired of hearing that Hillary lied about one thing or another. I am tired of hearing that Donald Trump has the personality of a rock. I’m tired of hearing each of them trying to degrade the other. By doing so, neither is winning any points in my book.

From what I have seen and heard, neither Hillary nor Donald has been campaigning for the JOB. They have been campaigning to deface their opponent and convince the majority to despise the other. Neither has been very direct in regards to what they WILL do if they are elected. They have each, however, been very clear as to what the other HAS DONE that is so corrupt that they should not be voted in as president. I am not saying that a person’s past should not play a factor in whether they become our next president, but I think that their ideas for the future of our country should carry a great deal of weight in our decision. And I do not think we should believe everything either of them says about the other.

I am going to sit down and do some major research on each of our presidential candidates to learn more than what I already know. I want to know what each of them plans to actually attempt to accomplish if he or she is voted into office. I need to know that I will still have a retirement account when I am ready to use that. I need to know that my children will all be able to hold on to their jobs to support their families. I need to know that my grandchildren will be safe when they go off to school each day. I need to know that our next president will honor and defend our constitution, that they will honor and support their country, and that they will honor and support the citizens of the United States of America—the very people they are working for. Maybe I am blind or just complete politically illiterate, but I’ve not heard these types of statements from either of them.

So, as the date draws closer for our country to decide who our next president will be, I urge each of you to research the two candidates. Maybe you already have, and kudos to you! I guess what I am really asking here is that you don’t go to the polls and vote for Hillary “because she’s a woman” or “because she is a Democrat.” Please don’t vote for Donald “because he’s a Republican” or “because he’s a business man.” Don’t discard the possibility of Trump becoming our president “because he’s a hothead” or Clinton “because she’s a liar.” And please don’t be one who stays uninformed and does not vote at all because you “don’t like either candidate.” There is always a third-party or a write-in option. Casting a vote for SOMEONE is far better than remaining silent.

The invitations to our “voting party” have been sent. Save the date and plan to attend. Our future, our children’s future and our grandchildren’s future depends on it.

Have you ever wondered why you are where you are today? I have. I often wonder why, when God already knows that I don’t like cold weather, He allowed me to end up being a Kentucky transplant living in Michigan. What I intended to be a short summertime visit has turned into a 32-year stay! Just as a side note, in my humble opinion, the Michigan winters do not get easier to deal with and I do dread it more with each passing year!

I was driving down the road the other day and saw a tree that had a few leaves that were already changing from summertime green to autumn red and orange. While I will admit that autumn is a beautiful season, the first week of September is way too early for my eyes to behold those colors. The sight of that tree and its changing leaves triggered my most recent round of inquisitiveness.

I asked myself “Why am I in Michigan?” No response came.

Then I asked God, “Why am I in Michigan?” The answer I got did not arrive in the form of a lightning bolt hitting the ground in front of me, nor was it a great epiphany of any sort. It was just very soft and subtle, asking me to compare myself to the tree with the changing leaves. Compare myself to a tree?!?! Crazy, right? Not really. I tried it and here is what I came up with.

The tree has roots buried deep in the ground, and there is very little that can sever those roots. Hmmm…I have roots. I have family and friends that I love and care about. It would take an eternity to sever those ties.

The tree has taken years to mature and grow into the solid configuration it has become. I myself have done a lot of growing over the years. I have made mistakes and I have learned from them. I have become a strong, solid and confident individual.

That old tree has provided shelter and shade with its outstretched branches, yet has probably lost a few branches to the wind over the years. Guess what? I raised a family. I provided them a shelter, food, guidance and unconditional love over the years. Sure, I had a few broken moments in time. Times when my kids weren’t perfect angels, and pushed me to my limits; times when my husband and I have disagreed and argued. But I survived all of that, and so did they. I am certain there will be more of those broken moments in my future, but again, I will survive.

The last comparison I thought of is the one that stands out most for me. The tree isn’t fighting to keep the green leaves. It will gracefully let go and let those red, orange and yellow leaves appear. With all those colors, the tree seems to glow where it was planted. It was then that I realized that I need to take what I have learned in life and share it with others…let them see the hope that is there and the beauty that will be. I am here to glow where I have been planted.

Glow where you are planted. It can only make this world more beautiful.

Author

I currently live in Michigan with my husband, Donald. I have three sons and one daughter as well as four grandchildren. For as long as I can remember I have had a passion for writing. I give God all the credit for allowing me to share my writings with you.